Mateo Montes de Oca

MATEO MONTES DE OCA (Mexico, XVIII century).
"St. Joseph with Child".
Oil on panel.
Measurements: 31,5 x 23 cm; 52 x 44 cm (frame).

Located in an interior with a celestial background, Mateo Montes de Oca (New Spanish painter born in Mexico in the eighteenth century) presents the figure of St. Joseph with his son. The little Jesus stands on his father's knees, dressed only in the cloth of purity, and looks at his father, transmitting to him, despite his childish innocence, his relevance in the Christian religion. Joseph gives him a tender embrace, trying to gather him in his lap, and gives him a look of admiration and affection. Puttis with his father's carpentry tools and what appears to be a basket of cherries complete the composition. Until the Counter-Reformation, it was common for the figure of St. Joseph to remain in the background, since no theological importance was attached to him. However, after Trent, his protagonist role as Jesus' protector during his childhood, as a guide during his youth, was recovered, and as such he is represented here. In contrast to the tenderness, defenselessness and candor of the infant figure, St. Joseph is presented as a monumental character, typically baroque, an impression that is reinforced by the pyramidal composition of the image. Through this form of representation, the author visually enhances the decisive role as protector of the putative father of Jesus.

It is worth mentioning that, during the Spanish colonial domination, a mainly religious painting was developed, aimed at Christianizing the indigenous peoples. The local painters were modeled on Spanish works, which they followed literally in terms of types and iconography. The most frequent models were the harquebusier angels and the triangular virgins, however, it was not until the first years of the 19th century, already in times of independence and political opening of some of the colonies, that several artists began to represent a new model of painting with its own identity.